Tuesday, March 15, 2011

The One God of the Bible

"I've had some atheists comment on my site saying God isn't real and that He doesn't exist, if they'll read and search their Bible, they'll be able to see that He does exist. Here is another article proving of his existence."

Isaiah 45:18-22 [18] For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else. [19] I have not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth: I said not unto the seed of Jacob, Seek ye me in vain: I the LORD speak righteousness, I declare things that are right. [20] Assemble yourselves and come; draw near together, ye that are escaped of the nations: they have no knowledge that set up the wood of their graven image, and pray unto a god that cannot save. [21] Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? have not I the LORD? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me. [22] Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.

See All... - "For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else. I have not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth: I said not unto the seed of Jacob, Seek ye me in vain: I the LORD speak righteousness, I declare things that are right. Assemble yourselves and come; draw near together, ye that are escaped of the nations: they have no knowledge that set up the wood of their graven image, and pray unto a god that cannot save. Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? have not I the LORD? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me. Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else."IntroductionThe history of mankind reveals that most societies have always been religious. Not only have most societies been religious, but also religion has played a major role in those societies. Some cultures have embraced a religion which was polytheistic in nature. Their religion recognized the existence of many gods. Such was the case in our text were those who were “makers of idols.” Ancient Greece was polytheistic, believing in the many gods of mythology. Other cultures were monotheistic in their religions. They believed that only one God existed.

The Christian believes in the one God of the Bible. Of this one God, Isaiah wrote, “Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? have not I the LORD? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Savior; there is none beside me. Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else” (Isaiah 45: 21-22). The Bible clearly teaches that there is but one God, and He is the God of the Bible.

It is this one God of the Bible that you will study about in this lesson. You will study about the Doctrine of God which is called Theology. The Bible teaches two important truths about God that are covered in this lesson. First, the Bible teaches you that God exists. Secondly, it teaches you how He exists.

The Existence of GodThe first truth that you will study is about the existence of God. As the Bible begins, it states, “In the beginning God. . . .” It makes no attempt to explain God; it simply declares that He exists. You will examine two approaches to proving the existence of God.

Arguments of God’s ExistenceFrom books on the subject of theology, you find different arguments as to the existence of God. Three of these arguments are listed below.

Intuitional ArgumentThis argument states that mankind just knows by intuition or from within that God exists.

Cosmological ArgumentThis argument states since the world exists, there must be a cause for its existence. This cause would be the existence of God.

Anthropological ArgumentThis argument is based on the fact that man has both moral and intellectual qualities. Since other animals do not have these qualities, then a God must exist who endowed mankind with these them.

These three arguments are most commonly presented in any study of the existence of God.

Authentication of God’s ExistenceThe second approach is the authentication of God’s existence. Rather than rely on the usual arguments concerning the existence of God, this lesson will authenticate or will document the existence of God.

We know that God exists because He has chosen to reveal Himself to mankind. Of this revelation of God, Paul wrote, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse” (Romans 1: 18-20). There are two ways that God has chosen to reveal Himself to mankind.

Visual Proof of His ExistenceThe first way you know that God exists is the visual proof of His existence. God has revealed Himself to mankind by the worlds He has made. The invisible Godhead is clearly seen by the visible things He has made. Of the things that God has made, Moses wrote, “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth . . .” (Genesis 1:1In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

See All...). Of these visible things, the Psalmist wrote, “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork” (Psalm 19:1The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.

See All...). Again the Psalmist wrote, “Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands. They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed: But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end” (Psalms 102: 25-27). The theologian would state that this is the cosmological argument for God’s existence. Yet, this far exceeds the cosmological argument! While this argument reveals there is a cause for the existence of the world, the Bible declares that “God created the heaven and the earth.”

Visionless Proof of His ExistenceThe second way you know that God exists is the visionless proof of His existence. God has chosen to reveal Himself to mankind in the Word He has written. Of the visionless proof of God’s existence, the writer of Hebrews wrote, “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Hebrews ll:6). Of this visionless proof, he further wrote, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen . . .” (Hebrews 11:1Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

See All...). Therefore, the Bible begins by saying, “In the beginning God. . . .” It makes no attempt to explain God; rather it simply declares that He exists. Those who acknowledge His existence must do so on the basis of faith based on revelation from the Word of God.

Even though God has revealed Himself in the Bible, there are three groups of people who refuse to accept God’s existence by faith. They are listed below.

•Atheist: The atheist denies that God exists.•Agnostic: The agnostic doesn’t deny that God exists, but he denies one can know that God exists.•Apathetic: The religious apathetic doesn’t care whether God exists or not. He is simply apathetic to the things of God.The most powerful argument for the existence of God is authenticity of the Word of God. The Bible gives you two proofs of God’s existence. First, it tells us that God exists and that He is the creator of the world which we see. It is this world which He created that is our visual proof of his existence. Secondly, God has chosen to reveal Himself in the written Word. The Word He has written is our visionless proof of God’s existence as we accept His existence by faith– “the evidence of things not seen.”

The Essence of God’s ExistenceThe second truth you will study is the essence of God’s existence. This truth reveals how God exists. There are five elements that constitute the essence of God’s existence.

Span of His ExistenceThe first element which constitutes the essence of God is the span of His Existence. Of this element, John wrote, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

See All...). This verse is similar to Genesis 1:1In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

See All... which states, “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” One could correctly restate the words of John by stating, “When time began, God was.” God has always been and He shall always be. God is eternal in His existence. Of the eternal nature of God, the Psalmist wrote, “I said, O my God, take me not away in the midst of my days: thy years are throughout all generations. Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands. They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed: But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end” (Psalms 102:24-27 [24] I said, O my God, take me not away in the midst of my days: thy years are throughout all generations. [25] Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands. [26] They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed: [27] But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end.

See All...). The God of the Bible is eternal in His existence!

Spiritual Form of His ExistenceThe second element which constitutes the essence of God is the spiritual form of His existence. Of this element, the Apostle Paul wrote, “For the invisible things of him . . . even his eternal power and Godhead . . .” (Romans 1:20For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

See All...). According to Paul, the Godhead exists in an invisible spiritual form which can be “clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made” (Romans 1:20For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

See All...). Concerning the form of God’s existence, Jesus said, “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

See All...). Jesus clarifies the spiritual form saying, “Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have” (Luke 24:39Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.

See All...). While the risen Christ was in the form of a man, the God of the Bible exists in a spiritual form. Consequently, only Christ who became flesh can be seen. He chose to become flesh that he might die for the sins of the world.

Steadfastness of His ExistenceThe third element which constitutes the essence of God is the steadfastness of His Existence. Malachi wrote of this steadfastness, “For I am the Lord, I change not . . .” (Malachi 3:6For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.

See All...). God does not change; He is steadfast in His existence. This is often referred to by theologians as the immutability of God. Of this immutability, James wrote, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning” (James 1:17Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

See All...). James is simply saying that God is steadfast. As the writer of Hebrews wrote about Jesus (who is God) in Hebrews 13:8Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

See All..., it can be said about the one God of the Bible who is “the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” God is eternal in His existence.

Spiritual Description of His ExistenceThe fourth element which constitutes the essence of God is a spiritual description of His existence. This description can be classified into two parts.

Character of GodThe first way that God can be described is according to His character. There are two major attributes which describe what God’s character is like.

•Love: The most commonly known description of God is that He is a God of love. John wrote of this love, “He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love” (1st John 4:8(For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.)

See All...). Surely, this well describes God’s character. Of the magnitude of this attribute, John wrote, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

See All...). God is well-know for His love! Out of His love comes grace, mercy, and forgiveness.•Holy: While many recognize that the God of the Bible is a God of love, they fail to recognize that the Bible teaches that He is also a holy God. Of His holiness, Moses wrote, “Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?” (Exodus 15:11Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?

See All...). Of all the attributes of God mentioned in the Bible, His holiness is mentioned more than any other. Of this, Mark Cambron, in his book entitled Bible Doctrines, stated that “Holiness is indeed the ‘attributes of attributes.’ ” Nothing will cause one to have a distorted view of God more than to view God as a God of love without consideration of the holiness of God! A balanced view of the character of God requires that one recognize the holiness of God. Out of God’s holiness comes righteousness, justice, judgment, and wrath against sin. Someone has said a God of love could not send anyone to Hell. However, the unrepentant sinner will discover that a Holy God must execute righteous judgment. Of this balanced view, John wrote, “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life [the love of God] : and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God [the holiness of God] abideth on him” (John 3:36He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

See All...).Capabilities of God•Omnipotence: The first attribute of God that describes His capabilities is His omnipotence. This attribute means that God is all–powerful. John wrote of this, “And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth” (Revelation 19:6And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.

See All...). Of this attribute, Moses wrote, “Is any thing too hard for the Lord?” (Genesis 18:14Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.

See All...). God is omnipotent; He is all–powerful!•Omniscience: The second attribute of God that describes His capabilities is His omniscience. This means that God is all– knowing. John wrote of this, “For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things” (1st John 3:20For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.

See All...). Concerning the omniscience of God, Paul wrote, “Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world” (Acts 15:18Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.

See All...). God is omniscience; He is all–knowing.•Omnipresence: The third attribute that describes the capabilities of God is His omnipresence. This attribute means God is everywhere. Of His omnipresence, the Psalmist wrote, “Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there” (Psalm 139:7-8 [7] Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? [8] If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.

See All...).Substance of His ExistenceJohn wrote of the substance of God’s existence, “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one” (1st John 5:7The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me.

See All...). Of this one God, Isaiah wrote, “I am the Lord, and there is none else, there is no God beside me. . .” (Isaiah 45:5I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me:

See All...). The Bible teaches there is one God, but that He exists in three persons. This teaching is referred to as the Doctrine of the Trinity. The plurality of His existence is found as God is first mentioned in the Bible. Moses wrote of His plurality, “In the beginning God . . .” (Genesis 1:1In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

See All...). The Hebrew word from which the word “God” comes is Elohim. This is a plural noun indicating three or more. So the Bible begins by revealing one God who exists in three persons. This plural existence of God was authenticated as Moses wrote, “And God said, Let us make man in our image . . .” (Genesis 1:26And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

See All...). The use of the word “us” reveals that this God of Genesis exists in more than one person. Of the triune nature of God, Matthew wrote, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost . . .” (Matthew 28:19Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

See All...). The word “name” is singular for He is but one God. While the singular word “name” is used, the three persons of God are listed in this verse. God exists in the persons of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost. While the word “trinity” is not found in the Bible, the teaching that there is one God who exists in three persons is clearly found in the Scriptures.

The Bible teaches you there is but one God, and that He is the God of the Bible.

Thought 4 The Day

"Today...be a Leader and not a follower."

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